TOLEDO, Ohio — People across northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan and beyond caught a glimpse of the Northern Lights - also known as the Aurora Borealis - Thursday night, when a G4 severe geomagnetic storm arrived on Earth.
The storm brought the Northern Lights at a Kp index of 7 and 8 throughout the night - the highest possible being 9. Typically, the Northern Lights are not visible as far south as Ohio, being relegated instead to Alaska, Canada and other places in northern latitudes.
If you looked up at the sky Thursday night and didn't see them, you're not alone: the Aurora is difficult to see with the naked eye. Instead, it is best captured in a photograph, be it a long exposure camera or even some cell phone cameras.
Many viewers were able to see Thursday night's display, and shared their photos with WTOL 11. They are included below:
Northern Lights, Oct. 10 & 11
If you still haven't seen the Northern Lights and want to, keep an eye on the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts, as well as WTOL 11 on air and online. 2024 is an active year in the solar cycle, so there may be opportunities yet to come.